MUMBAI: It was a day of happy endings for the Vasai housing society where a Gujarati family that had been denied the right to sell a flat to a Muslim trader, was issued a no objection certificate to go ahead with the sale.

While Kantaben Patel, the owner of the flat at Happy Jivan Housing Society in Sai Nagar, Vasai, was issued the NOC on Tuesday, the prospective buyer, Vikarahmed Khan, was given a written apology by 11 society members for hurting his religious sentiments. Khan had been denied the right to purchase a flat in the building that comprises majority Gujarati families.

In an exclusive report, TOI had mentioned how the Patels were unable to sell their first-floor flat to Khan as 11 society members had signed a letter objecting to it. They had urged Kantaben not to sell her flat to a Muslim family.

Khan filed a complaint against them with Manickpur police on September 17 for hurting his religious sentiments. The 11 flat owners were booked under Section 295 (A) of the Indian Penal Code for “deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs.” It is a non-bailable offence. Nine members (one owns two flats), including two women, were arrested on Monday. They were produced in Vasai court and released on bail against a personal bond.

The NOC dated September 19 signed by the chairperson, secretary and treasurer states they have no objection to selling flat 103 to Khan. Patel had submitted an application for the NOC on Sunday after the committee members took a decision to issue it. Khan told TOI that he had received the NOC. “I have begun the process of applying for a loan. I will buy the flat and I am confident that we will all live peacefully in the building.” Secretary Jeetendra Jain said the two Muslim families that have lived in the building for over two decades have not faced any form of discrimination.

Meanwhile, four families, including the two Muslim families, did not sign the letter objecting to the sale. Deepak Patole, a Maharashtrian, was away. The members did not approach one Adesh Varma (52), as they were sure he would not sign. Varma recalled how he had signed on a NOC two decades ago when a Bengali family had sold their flat to a Muslim. “These very families were here when that sale happened. That time no one objected. I am surprised that this time they acted so irresponsibly,” said Varma but added the society is among the best and “all the members live in harmony.”